Truss.



H. G. BALLOU.

TRUSS.

APPLICATION TILED we. 7, 1908.

968,728. Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

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muss; 7 APPLICATION FILED AUG. 7, 1908. 968,728. Patented Aug. 30, 1910. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

HARRY G. BALLOU, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

IR-USS.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY Gr. BALLOU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of lVashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trusses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in trusses, and has for its object to provide a truss, which while held positively against the rupture, to prevent slipping, will nevertheless exert an easy and elastic pressure thereagainst.

Another object of my invention is to provide a filling for the front pads, which possesses marked advantages over those heretofore employed.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the following specification.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved truss, as employed for a single hernia, showing the sustaining means employed to position the same; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view (enlarged) through the front pad and showing how the hip spring is connected thereto; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the clamping plate or disk. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the foundation plate or disk. Fig. 5 is a modified form of fastening means. Fig. 6 shows a modified form of the means employed to mount and hold the front pad in position. Fig. 7 shows a modified form of clamping plate or disk. Fig. 8 shows a modified form of foundation plate. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of my improved truss adapted to serve as a double truss together with the sustaining means employed, and, Fig. 10 is a cross section (enlarged) through one of the rear pads, and showing the method of connecting the hip spring thereto.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the preferred form of my invention, 1 designates the front pad, which has therein a small circular sack of leather, cloth or other pliable material 2 loosely filled with a granular material 3, as for instance, mustard seed or other material of greater or less degree of coarseness, which will not cake by reason of being subjected to the moisture exhaled from the pores of the skin, and hence will not constitute an irritating, hard or dense pad. The pad will also be cool and soft, because the heat of the body transmit- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 7, 1908.

Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

Serial No. 447,450.

ted to it will be readily diffused and dissipated by the granular filling.

Adapted to be seated upon the sack 2,is a metal plate or disk t, which for convenience of description will be termed the foundation plate or disk. This plate has a central countersunk portion (3 in the bottom of which are formed several slots 7, while that portion of the plate surrounding the countersunk portion has several small perforations 5, which are threaded. The circumferential edge of the foundation plate is turned up as shown at 4 Upon the foundation plate 4; a second plate or disk 8 is adapted to be seated, which second disk constitutes a clamping plate. This clamping plate has its outer edge turned over, as shown, and has a central opening therein from which depends a circular flange 9 provided with several lugs or projections 10, which are adapted to enter the slots 7 in the countersunk portion 6 of' the foundation plate 4t. The face of the clamping plate is provided with a plurality of apertures 11, which are preferably of the keyhole type, as shown. In the face of the plate 8 there are also several small circular perforations 12, which are threaded and designed to register with the perforations 5 in the foundation plate a and the two plates are thus held together by short screws passing through the perforations.

The pad is provided with an outer cover 13 of leather, cloth or other soft, pliable material. This cover is designed to be drawn over the sack 2 by means of a draw string 14 and firmly held by the outer edges of the clamping plate 8 overlapping the edges of the cover. By reason of the upturned edges of the foundation plate the degree of tightness to which the cover 13 can be drawn over the sack 2 can be regulated, that is the draw string 14, can be drawn to make the cover 13 as tight asdesired, thereby compressing the granular filling 3 in the sack 2 to make the pad as hard as desired, and then the clamping plate 8 can be fastened to the foundation plate 4, which will firmly hold the cover as tight as it is drawn by the draw-string.

A spiral spring 15 with its lower convolution secured between the wall of the countersunk portion 6 of the foundation plate 4- and the projections or lugs 10 of the clamping member is designed to have its upper end or convolution sprung into and held by spring action in a groove 16 formed in a depending circular rib or projection 17, which is either fixedly attached to or forms an integral part of a plate or disk 18.

A bow-shaped hip spring 19, which is substantially cylindrical in cross section, 1 it flattened at its ends, as at 20, 20, is adapted to have one of its ends secured by means of a headed bolt 21 to the plate 18. Each end of the hip spring is provided with several perforations 22, as shown, so that an adjustment of the front and rear pads can be effected to fit the truss to the wearer. A back pad 24, see Fig. 10, is adapted to be secured to the other end of the hip spring 19. The back pad 24 consists of a dished plate 25, the circumferential edge of which is turned up as shown, and a cover 25 of leather, cloth or other suitable material secured by means of a draw-string 25 The back pad is secured to the hip spring by means of a headed bolt 25 the threaded end of which is projected through a centrally arranged aperture 25 in the plate 25 and then through the selected perforation 22 in the end of the hip spring to which it is secured by a nut 25 My form of hip spring possesses advantages over those heretofore employed, as it is substantially cylindrical at its central portion to lend strength, and rigidity where needed and flattened for some distance from the point of engagement with the front and back pads thereby readily admitting of a lateral flexibility, but resisting any movement up or down.

While it will be noted that both ends of the hip spring are shown as flattened, it is evident that I may flatten only one end, and this could be the end connected to either the front or back pad as desired. This will cause a decrease in the flexibility of the hip spring, which, under some circumstances will prove desirable.

While the pad 1 will, under normal conditions, be held in position by the elasticity of the hip spring 19 I deem it advisable, under certain conditions, as in the case of a severe hernia, to employ a strap as an additional sustaining means. This strap consists of a short strap 26, preferably of elastic fabric, provided with a tab 27 at one end and a buckle 28 at the other. This tab 27 is provided with a headed pin or stud 29 adapted to be inserted in the enlarged part of the opening of one of the key-hole slots 11, and held in said slot by being drawn over to the reduced portion by the contraction of the elastic strap 26. Adapted to be secured to said buckle is a non-elastic fabric strap 29, which has its other end connected at 29 to the bow-shaped hip spring 19 thereby forming an adjustable girth strap for the wearer. By this arrangement the short elastic straps 26, which wear out much sooner than the plain fabric ones can be replaced at little cost.

In Fig. 5 a modified form of tab, as 30, is shown provided with a curved slot 31 which is slightly reduced at its lower end, and has a projection 31 therein, which partially closes or divides said slot to re tain therein the projection engaged. In this form the tabs are designed to be hooked over the headed bolt 21 and will be readily retained thereon against accidental displacement.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that I have produced a truss, which can be readily applied with equal facility to a rupture on either the right or the left hand side, and which will be comfortable to the wearer and eflicacious in the reduction of the hernia.

lVhile I have shown the front pad 1 as being connected to the bow-shaped hip spring 19 by means of the coil spring 15 it is obvious that the pad can be connected directly to the hip spring, as shown in Fig. 6. In this form the foundation plate 32 is a flat disk provided with a central aperture 33, the under edge of which is bent upward as shown. The circumferential edge of the foundation plate is turned up as indicated at 3 f. The foundation plate is adapted to be seated upon the sack 2 with a headed bolt 85 having its threaded end projected through the aperture 33. A cover 36 is then placed over the sack 2 filled with granular material 3 and drawn over the upturned edge 3% of the foundation plate 32, and drawn as tightly as desired by a draw string 37 and then a clamping plate 38 provided with a central aperture 39 and keyhole slots 40 is positioned thereon with the threaded end of the bolt 35 passing through said aperture 89 and all held thus assembled by a milled nut 88 In Fig. 9 I have shown a double form of truss, which is adapted to be worn by a person atflicted with a double hernia. In this form two front pads are employed which may be of the type in which the coil spring is interposed bet-ween the pad and the hip spring, as in Figs. 1 and 2, or of the form where the coil spring is interposed on one side only, while on the other side the front pad is connected directly to the hip spring, as in Fig. 6, or both front pads can be connected directly to the hip springs. In the less severe hernias it would probably be best to employ the form where the front pads have a spring interposed between the pad and the hip spring, thereby avoiding any undue pressure on the affected parts.

In the double form of truss, shown in Fig. 9, I have shown side straps connecting the front and rear pads. These side straps each consist of a short piece of fabric 41,

preferably elastic, provided with a buckle t), by which they can be attached to a strip of non-elastic fabric 43, which has a perforated tab 4:4: at its free end by which it is connected to the rear pad by means of the bolt 25. The strips 41 carry tabs, either of the type designated by 27 provided with a headed pin 29 for engagement with the keyhole slots of the clamping plate or of the form shown in Fig. 5 to engage the bolt 21 of the front pad, as in Fig. 2, or the bolt 35, as in Fig. 6. The front pads are designed to be connected together by two strips of fabric 15, 45, elastic if desired, which are suitably secured to the front pads and are adjustably connected together by a buckle, not shown, carried by one of the strips. The hip springs 19, 19, are connected together near their juncture with the back pads by back straps l6, l6, one of which carries a buckle 47 by means of which the straps may be adjusted. As is apparent the back and front straps will prevent the hip springs from becoming displaced. In connection with the double form of truss it is apparent that any and all of the straps may be omitted, as the condition of the hernias of the wearer will admit, as the hip springs will, by reason of their shape and elasticity, maintain the pads in their proper positions, but with the use of the straps they will of course,be held firmer and thus secure against accidental displacement.

Having thus described my invention, I claim,

1. In a truss, a hip spring, pads arranged upon said hip spring, one or both of said pads comprising a foundation plate provided with a countersunk portion, a second plate arranged upon said first named plate and being provided with a portion to fit within said countersunk portion, a coiled spring having a portion thereof arranged within said countersunk portion and around the outer side of said portion of said second named plate adapted to fit within said countersunk portion, means for securing one end of said spring to said hip spring and means for securing said first and second named plates together, substantially as described.

2. In a truss, a hip spring, a pad arranged upon said hip spring, said pad comprising a sealed casing, light non-metallic spheres arranged within said casing for forming the filling therefor, a plate arranged upon said casing, a covering of flexible material sur rounding said casing and arranged upon said plate, means for adjusting the size of said covering, and a plate for holding said covering in such adjusted position, substantially as described.

3. In a truss, a hip spring, a pad arranged upon said hip spring, said pad comprising a sealed casing, seeds arranged within said casing for forming the filling therefor, a plate arranged upon said casing, a covering of flexible material surrounding said casing and arranged upon said plate, means for adjusting the size of said covering, and a plate for clamping said covering in such adjusted position, to said first named plate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY G. BALLOU.

IVitnesses:

V. A. PETERSON, L. WV. BRUNDAGE. 

